The University of Toronto is consistently ranked among the top 30 universities globally and offers a world-class education across diverse disciplines. To attract ambitious international students, UofT established the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program.
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This selective scholarship recognizes outstanding international undergraduates who demonstrate academic prowess alongside leadership strengths. In this article, we explore the program’s illustrious history and review the application process and criteria to help students assess if it suits their goals.
History and Namesake
The scholarship program is named after the late Lester B. Pearson, a renowned Canadian statesman and the only Canadian to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Pearson had a distinguished career serving as a diplomat, parliamentarian and prime minister of Canada.
As a diplomat, he played a pivotal role in founding the United Nations. His values of internationalism, multilateralism and commitment to global peace inspired the program established in his honor in 1986. It remains one of Canada’s most prestigious awards for undergrads.
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Program Details
- Offers full funding covering tuition, fees, books, and residence for 4 years of undergraduate studies
- Approximately 37 scholarships are awarded annually to exceptional international students
- Assesses both academic merit and demonstrated leadership qualities within the student’s school/community
- Aims to identify future globally-minded leaders through a holistic evaluation process
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Pearson scholarship, candidates must:
- Be an international student requiring a study permit for Canada
- Be enrolled in final year of high school in 2024-25 or have graduated no earlier than June 2024
- Planning to start first undergraduate degree program at UofT in September 2025
- Achieved top grades and actively involved in extracurricular/volunteer activities
Application Process
The application consists of an undergraduate admission application to UofT along with the Pearson scholarship application involving:
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- Securing nomination by current high school
- Meeting admission and scholarship deadlines of Oct 18, Nov 8 respectively
- Submitting all required documents demonstrating leadership and impact
- Undergoing a rigorous Merit-Based selection process
Only the most exceptional candidates who embody Pearson’s values are awarded this prestigious four-year fully-funded scholarship after a highly competitive process.
Conclusion
The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship at the University of Toronto presents an unparalleled opportunity for the world’s brightest international undergraduates seeking a top-notch Canadian education.
Those with strong academics and proven leadership are encouraged to thoroughly research this program and apply through their high schools. With diligent preparation, it can be life-changing in fulfilling their global education goals.
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